Luncheon speaker to focus on U-M's space endeavors

PETOSKEY — The University of Michigan may be better known for its athletic teams than its space probes, but a lot of spacecraft out there do have the Michigan touch on them.

Alec D. Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic dean of engineering at Michigan, will fill everyone in on Michigan’s space endeavors during a special presentation at noon on Monday, July 15, at the Petoskey-Bay View Country Club. The talk is a “lunch and learn” event sponsored by the University of Michigan Alumni Spirit Group of Little Traverse Bay.

Many older Michigan alumni recall the Apollo 15 moon landing mission in the summer of 1971, a flight which was crewed by three Michigan alumni — commander David Scott, lunar module pilot James Irwin and command module pilot Alfred Worden.

Back on the ground, Michigan scientists and engineers have been involved with missions to the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, as well as Earth-centered missions such as the Deep Space Climate Observatory.

With President Trump’s call for boots on the moon by 2024, and for the creation of a military Space Force, Gallimore’s perspective will be even more prescient.

Gallimore received his bachelor in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his masters and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering with a focus on plasma physics from Princeton.

His primary research interests include advanced spacecraft (electric) propulsion, plasma physics and advanced plasma diagnostics, nanoparticle energetics and the use of plasma for energy transfer and environmental remediation.

He has served on a number of advisory boards for NASA and the Department of Defense, including the United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. In 2010, he was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Under Gallimore’s vision, Michigan Engineering is committed to becoming the world’s preeminent college of engineering serving the common good. He is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and ensuring all individuals are treated with equity.

The presentation by Gallimore is open to the public. The cost to attend is $30 and includes lunch. Proceeds benefit scholarships for incoming University of Michigan students.